Trey Gilley - Sage Realty Group, LLC

07/27/2026

https://ksvc.paragon.ice.com/s/goto/ZRHrGofBUBQ

Welcome to this well-maintained home situated on two lots with a desirable corner-lot setting in New Hope, Alabama. Inside, you'll find hardwood floors, a spacious living room with a gas fireplace, a separate dining room, a bright kitchen with abundant cabinet space, and an enclosed sunroom that off...

07/20/2026

Welcome to this well-maintained home situated on two lots with a desirable corner-lot setting in New Hope, Alabama. Inside, you'll find hardwood floors, a spacious living room with a gas fireplace, a separate dining room, a bright kitchen with abundant cabinet space, and an enclosed sunroom that offers flexible extra living space. Outdoor features include a covered front porch, rear deck, attached carport, and detached storage building. Major updates include a new HVAC system installed in May 2025 and a roof replaced in 2021. Conveniently located near New Hope High School, about a 25-minute drive to Lake Guntersville, and roughly 25 minutes to downtown Huntsville.

07/10/2026

She owns a plumbing company with 22 employees. Her business account shows six figures. So does her personal account. She’s been profitable for 18 straight years and has a 790 credit score.

Still, the lender wants “additional documentation.”

A letter from her CPA. An explanation of income fluctuations. Proof the business is stable.

She’s submitted everything they asked for. Twice.

And somehow, there’s always one more hoop.

This is the exhausting reality for successful business owners: having to keep proving what has already been proven.

07/08/2026

She told the agent she wanted to see homes in the $700K–$800K range. The agent sent listings priced at $400K–$500K instead. “These are great starter homes in your price range.” She owns a welding and fabrication shop with 26 employees and has been in business for 18 years. Her price range was exactly what she said it was. Some agents ask questions and listen. Some make assumptions before they ever open the MLS. The difference shows up long before the closing table.

07/03/2026

Called an agent about a $750K lakefront property. The first question was my budget. I said $850K max. The agent paused and replied, “I want to make sure we're being realistic about what you can afford.” What they never asked? I own my HVAC company outright. No debt. $340K in the business account. $180K in personal savings. Pre-approved for $900K. I'm tired of assumptions. Blue-collar success doesn't always look the way people expect. The numbers tell a very different story than appearances ever will.

06/29/2026

Met with a business owner recently. HVAC company. Twenty-eight employees. Consistent six-figure deposits into the business account. Same story in the personal account. Fifteen years of profitability. Then the lender asked, “Can you have your employer write a letter verifying your income?” He *is* the employer. The look of confusion on the lender’s face said everything. Some lenders understand how business owners earn and document income. Most don’t. That disconnect can make all the difference in a real estate transaction.

06/26/2026

Twelve landscaping crews. Trucks everywhere. Equipment paid for. The accountant does the job right—every legal deduction taken. On paper, taxable income is $87K. Actual take-home is $280K. Now the lender wants two years of business tax returns, profit and loss statements, a CPA letter, and bank statements showing cash reserves. Three weeks of emails, uploads, and "just one more document." Still waiting. Meanwhile, the W-2 employee making $95K was approved in four days. Sometimes building something successful creates hurdles nobody warns you about.

06/22/2026

She owns a commercial cleaning company. Forty-three employees. Six-figure income.

She walked into an open house in an upscale neighborhood wearing jeans and her company polo. The listing agent handed her a flyer and said, “This one might be out of your range, but I have some great condos if you're interested.”

The home was listed at $650,000.

Her pre-approval letter says $875,000.

It’s still sitting in her truck.

Success doesn’t always arrive in designer clothes or luxury cars. Sometimes it shows up in work boots, a company shirt, and years of building something from the ground up.

Never judge a buyer by the uniform they wear.

06/19/2026

A 51-year-old electrical contractor walked into a real estate office yesterday. Thirty employees. Cleared $420K last year. He came in wearing a work jacket with his company logo on it. The agent glanced out at the truck in the parking lot and said, "Let me show you some great starter homes we have available."

He was already pre-approved for $950K.

Nobody asked.

Sometimes, people build extraordinary lives without looking the way others expect success to look.